Town Events, May 6 - May 13 - The Reminder

Town Events, May 6 - May 13

From the Herald, the MetroWest Reminder and the Springfield Reminder

AGAWAM
HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION MEETING
The Annual Dinner Meeting of the Agawam Historical Assoc. will take place May 20 at 6 p.m. at the Captain Charles Leonard House, 663 Main St. A buffet dinner will be at 6 p.m., followed by a business meeting and election of officers. The dinner reservation forms must be returned by May 12 or call in reservations to Carol at 786-7329.

LIONS OPEN HOUSE
The Agawam Lions will host an open house May 17 from noon - 5 p.m. at the high school. Admission and parking are free. For more info, contact Ron Weiners at 786-6633.

CULTURAL COUNCIL MEETING
The Agawam Cultural Council is meeting on May 12 at 7 p.m. at the Agawam Public Library, 750 Cooper St. The meeting is open to the public. This all-volunteer organization, appointed by the mayor is funded in part by the Mass. Cultural Council. We are always looking for new members.

CRAFT AND VENDOR SHOW
Thirty plus crafters and vendors May 9 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 760 Main St. Come order from Double Dips Chocolates; see jewelry, Americana products, woodwork, barn stars, skin care and spa products, fleece products, pet accessories, Mary Kay, Tupperware, Pampered Chef, Tastefully Simple, Partylite and more. Don't forget your dog or cat Pawsatively Delectable will be here with the latest in homemade treats.

HOMELESS CATS FUNDRAISER
Agawam Friends of Homeless Cats invites the public to join them on May 9 at the Agawam Senior Center, 954 Main St. from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. for their craft and vendor fundraiser to help raise money for their cause. Join us and show your support. The cats need your help. For more info or to make a donation, call Maureen Fredey at 786-2854.

"SHAKESPEARE ... THE LUNATIC"
One May 18 at 7 p.m., Richard Clark of "Keeping History Alive" will return to the Agawam Public Library to give a performance titled "Shakespeare . the Lunatic, the Lover and the Poet." Call 789-1550 or visit the Agawam Library to register for this program.

GARDEN CLUB MEETING
The next meeting of the Agawam Garden Club (AGC) will take place on May 12 at 7 p.m. at the Senior Center on Main Street. The topic will be "Yoga for Gardeners," presented by gardener Jennie Tufts. The AGC annual plant sale will take place on May 16 from 9 a.m. - noon at Sacred Heart Parish in Feeding Hills.

CHICOPEE
COUNCIL ON AGING MEETS
The Chicopee Council on Aging will host their regular meeting on May 12 at 4:45 p.m. in the Chicopee Senior Center, 7 Valley View Ct. The meeting is open to the public.

WRITING GROUP
A group of friendly people gather informally in the Chicopee Senior Center, 7 Valley View Ct., on the first and third Fridays of each month at 1 p.m. Bring paper, a pen or pencil and a desire to share your ideas, imagination, life experiences or dream. No extraordinary writing skills are required. For more info call the center at 534-3698.

BOOK CLUB
Readers will meet at 1 p.m. on May 18 at the Munich House to discuss "Ahab's Wife, or the Star Gazer" by Suzanne Sena Jeter Aslund. The group will not meet again until September. The Chicopee Public Library is providing assistance with obtaining books for the club. Everyone who enjoys reading is welcome. Call the senior center at 534-3698 for more info.

BOOK TALK AND TEA
The Irish Cultural Center hosts Ann O'Farrell for a book talk and tea on May 13 in the Dooley Campus Center. She will speak about Ireland and her two novels, "Norah's Children" and the sequel "Michael." For more info to go www.irish-cairde.org.

CELTIC ADVENTURES FOR KIDS
The Irish Cultural Center at Elms College is accepting registration for its ninth annual Celtic Adventures for Kids July 27 - 31 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. A $50 non-refundable deposit with registration due June 5; balance due by July 10. Call 265-2537 for further info and/or a registration form. Check out www.irish-cairde.org for more info.

SPAGHETTI SUPPER
The W.F. Davitt Ladies Auxiliary Post 625, 374 Front St., will host their spaghetti supper on May 7 from 4 - 6 p.m. Cost is $4.50 for adults and seniors, $4 for children under 12, and $4.75 for take-outs. We serve you. No waiting line. All monies are used for our veterans.

MOHEGAN SUN
A trip to Mohegan Sun on May 13 leaving from American Legion on Exchange Street at 7:15 a.m. Plus casino bonus and free buffet. Cost is $20. For more info call Dot at 788-6835. Best time to call between 4 - 5 p.m.

CAR WASH FUNDRAISER
Chicopee High School Softball Booster Club will be having a car wash on May 16 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Central Oil Heating on Center Street. Please stop by and support our team.

HOLYOKE
SOLDIERS' HOME OPEN HOUSE
The Board of Trustees of the Soldiers' Home in Holyoke invites all veterans living in the five western counties of Mass. to attend an open house on May 13 from 9 a.m. - noon and again from 4 - 6 p.m. The open house is taking place in observance of National Nursing Home Week. Soldiers' Home staff and volunteers will be presenting special activities and services. Refreshments will be served and all attending will receive a free gift. The Volunteer Service Dept. will be giving guides tours of the facility. Anyone wishing to become a volunteer should contact Bev Blanchard at 532-9475 ext. 1377.

HISTORY OF ARMS LECTURE
On May 6 at 6 p.m. join us at Wistariahurst Museum for a lecture on the history of arms making in the Valley featuring the famous Ames brothers of Chicopee and others from the Springfield, Chicopee, Northampton and surrounding areas. The lecture will be given by Arms and Military Historian John Hamilton, author of the book "The Ames Sword Company 1829-1935." For more info or a schedule of other upcoming events, visit www.wistariahurst.org or call 322-5660.

CHURCH TAG SALE
First Lutheran Church and School's huge, annual tag sale will take place May 9 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. The members, parents, teachers, administrators and staff of First Lutheran Church and School will be participating. Donations will be accepted May 4 - 7 from 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. (We cannot accept donations of furniture, large appliances, car seats, TVs, computers or exercise equipment). We are at 1810 Northampton St.

ROWING CLASSES
Holyoke Rows has begun its rowing program and is looking for interested men and women to fill its boats. Classes are offered in experienced sweep rowing on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30 - 7:15 p.m. Beginner sweep classes will be added on May 18. For more info, call Stephanie Moore at 320-3134 or e-mail at holyokerows@hotmail.com.

MEDICAL SEMINAR
Holyoke Medical Center (HMC) will present "A Gut Experience: From Reflux to Constipation," featuring Dr. Mary Norris, gastroenterologist, on May 14 at 6 p.m. at the facility's Auxiliary Conference Center. The program is free. Preregistration is required by calling HMC's Health Promotion Line at 534-2789.

MALAWI PRESENTATION
On May 7 at 7 p.m. at Holyoke Community College (HCC), Frost Building, room 309, Karen Hardy and Shannon Massey, a HCC student, will give a presentation on their trip to Malawi, Africa, and how it inspired them to begin the non-profit organization Educate Malawi Inc. More info: www.educate-malawi.org.

SOUTH HADLEY
"THE INFERNAL MACHINE"
The Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School will present Jean Cocteau's "The Infernal Machine," May 15 and 16 at 7:30 p.m. and May 17 at 2 p.m. Reservations are recommended and may be made by visiting www.pvpa.org. Tickets: $12 for general admission; $10 for students and seniors; $5 for PVPA students and children under 12.

SOUTHWICK
VETERANS' SERVICES REP.
A veterans' services rep. will be at the Senior Center on May 15. For more info, call the center at 569-5498.

SPRINGFIELD
BUS TRIPS
Gina Daniele presents a two-day bus trip to Niagara Falls including hotel, breakfast, boat ride and tour on May 16 and 17. Bus leaves Mom & Rico's, 899 Main St., at 6:30 a.m. No passport required. For more info, call 732-8941.

HEALTH & WELLNESS SEMINAR
The Cancer House of Hope, 946 Plumtree Rd., will host a Health & Wellness Seminar with personal fitness trainer Donna Chalfant on May 7 from 4:30 - 6 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. For more info, call Lyn Hopkins at 847-1196.

WARD 8 MEETING
On May 9 at 10 a.m., Ward 8 Democrats will meet at 117 Main St., Indian Orchard. All are welcome.

"COMEDY FOR CATHOLICS"
On May 30 at 7 p.m., Monsignor Dominic Primo Vera, a.k.a. Don Paglia, co-director of the Hartford Catholic Archdiocesan Family Life Office, will "Explain the Church" in this very funny evening of comedy, a fundraiser for the Parish's Habitat for Humanities project. Event will take place in Holy Cross School gym; only 350 seats available! Refreshments and social hour before and after performance. Reserve tickets at $10 each (by May 16); at the door, $12. Call Deacon Bill Toller at 783-4111 ext. 116 for tickets or more info.

1950S PARTY
The Women's League for the Arts invite you to their annual spring lucheon June 4, 11:30 a.m, at the Colony Club, with entertainment by "A Ray of Elvis," Ray Guillemette Jr., a nine-time international first place Elvis impersonator.

PINE POINT MEETING
The May meeting of the Pine Point Community Council will be on May 12 at 7 p.m. Agenda includes a request for automotive repair on Harding Street and discussion of two used car lots that are in violation of their special permit.

VETERANS WOMENS GOLF LEAGUE
The Veterans Womens Golf League is inviting experienced women golfers to join its 18 hole league for a summer of fun with a friendly group of women. League play is on Tuesday mornings at 8:30 a.m. at Veterans Golf Course on South Branch Parkway. Join with a full membership or an associate membership if you are an educator, school personnel or others who have a limited golf season. For info call Alice at 596-4752, Pat at 567-6880 or Eleanor at 782-2604. Our season has just started; join us for a good time.

SUFFOLK DOWNS RACEWAY
LeStelle d'Italia Senior Group invites you to join them on a day trip to Suffolk Downs Raceway on June 3. Fee includes driver gratuity, clubhouse admission and seating in Topsider Room overlooking the finish line. Enjoy your buffet lunch from a choice menu, includes soup, salad, entrees, drinks, desserts. A race is named after the group and we will present the winning jockey with his trophy. Call now for reservations; payment due by May 15. Betty, 821-8797 or Anna, 739-3536. Departure from the Italian Cultural Center, 56 Margaret St., at 9:30 a.m. and return approx. 6:30 p.m.

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER
A Night to Remember for friends and alumni of Our Lady of Hope School will be on May 16 in the school auditorium. This event, to mark the school's closing, will begin with 4 p.m. Mass in church. A ziti and meatball dinner will take place afterwards in the school. Come and reminisce, tour the school and meet old friends. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for kids up to eighth grade and kids under three are free. There will be a cash bar. Tickets are available at the school, the rectory, and the Hope Center.

WESTFIELD
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Gardeners are invited to join with the volunteers who work in Grandmothers' Garden every Saturday from May - June 20 from 9 a.m. - noon. Volunteers are also needed for tour guides and docents. Drop by the garden or call 562-2022 for more info and to ask about our Adopt-a-Bed program.

ESL, ABE CLASSES
The Athenaeum, 6 Elm St., is offering an open enrollment for English as a Second Language (ESL) Classes and Adult Basic Education (ABE) classes. Classes are conducted in English in the Committee Room at the Athenaeum on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. For more information and to register, call the Athenaeum at 562-0716.

WEST SPRINGFIELD
ANNUAL PLANT SALE
The W. Springfield Garden Club will have its annual Plant Sale on May 15 - 16 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Santa's House at the entrance to Mittineague Park. For more info, call President Romaniak at 732-2506.

CHAMBER BREAKFAST
The West of the River Chamber of Commerce will host its Annual Breakfast Meeting/Customer Service Seminar on May 15 at Storrowton Tavern. Cost: $20 for members, $30 for non-members. Reservations must be made in advance via Diane Swanson, Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield Inc., 1441 Main St., Suite 136, Springfield, MA 01103, fax: 755-1322, e-mail: swanson@myonlinechamber.com.

THE BIRDHOUSE PROJECT
The W. Springfield Arts Council will present "The Birdhouse Project," a silent auction fundraiser to supplement the projected 2010 budget cuts. Slent auction runs May 1 - 30 at the W. Springfield Public Library. Starting bid: $30. Winning bids will be announced on June 4 at "Celebrate the Arts" at the Landmark at Monastery Heights.